BILL NUMBER: ACR 81	CHAPTERED  09/03/99

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   98
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   SEPTEMBER 3, 1999
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   AUGUST 30, 1999
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   AUGUST 26, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   AUGUST 26, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Reyes and Cardoza
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Aanestad, Ackerman, Alquist, Aroner,
Ashburn, Baldwin, Bates, Battin, Bock, Brewer, Briggs, Campbell,
Cardenas, Cedillo, Corbett, Correa, Cox, Cunneen, Davis, Dickerson,
Ducheny, Dutra, Firebaugh, Florez, Frusetta, Gallegos, Granlund,
Havice, Hertzberg, Honda, House, Jackson, Kaloogian, Keeley, Knox,
Kuehl, Leach, Lempert, Leonard, Longville, Lowenthal, Machado,
Maddox, Maldonado, Margett, Mazzoni, McClintock, Migden, Nakano,
Olberg, Oller, Robert Pacheco, Rod Pacheco, Papan, Pescetti, Romero,
Runner, Scott, Shelley, Soto, Steinberg, Strickland, Strom-Martin,
Thomson, Torlakson, Villaraigosa, Vincent, Washington, Wayne, Wesson,
Wiggins, Wildman, and Zettel)
   (Coauthor: Senator Costa)

                        AUGUST 17, 1999

   Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 81--Relative to California
Grown Certified Farmers' Market Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 81, Reyes.  California Grown Certified Farmers' Market.
   This measure would recognize August 1999 as California Grown
Certified Farmers' Market Month.




   WHEREAS, Certified Farmers' Markets are now serving over 400
different communities throughout California; and
   WHEREAS, More than 4,000 California farmers use Certified Farmers'
Markets as the sole or major outlet for the fruits and vegetables
produced on their farms; and
   WHEREAS, The California system of Certified Farmers' Markets,
where only actual farmers can bring and sell directly to the public
the California produce that they grow, is original and unique in the
world of farmer's markets; and
   WHEREAS, California farmers bringing their produce directly from
the field and selling directly to the public eliminates the farmers'
packing, labeling, shipping, and wholesale handling costs, thereby
creating a major cost reduction needed to sustain the small acreage
farmer and a significant shared savings to the income-challenged
public; and
   WHEREAS, Certified Farmers' Markets have become important
harmonious community meeting places, blending the various and diverse
ethnic neighborhoods surrounding each location, and creating a
positive atmosphere for the communities where they are located; and
   WHEREAS, Certified Farmers' Markets are almost exclusively
operated by nonprofit organizations or city agencies, the missions of
which are to bring California's agricultural and urban communities
together for their mutual benefit, increased communication, and
mutual education; and
   WHEREAS, Certified Farmers' Markets are a major tool used by many
California cities in their attempt to revitalize economically and
socially depressed downtown area; and
   WHEREAS, Certified Farmers' Markets are instrumental in preserving
the diversity of California agriculture by providing profitable
marketing outlets for the small acreage growers of heirloom,
culinary, ethnic, organic, no-pesticide, and other specialty crops
not widely grown on a large scale or found at traditional food
sources; and
   WHEREAS, Certified Farmers' Markets have become key educational
mediums for a great number of school, health, and nutrition programs
in their endeavor to increase the consumption of fresh fruits and
vegetables by at-risk members of the public, especially pregnant
women, mothers breast-feeding their babies, and children of all ages;
and
   WHEREAS, California grown fruits and vegetables are, and should
be, the safest, freshest, tastiest, and most nutritious fruits and
vegetables in the world; and
   WHEREAS, During the month of August a great diversity of
California fruits and vegetables are produced by California growers,
and is therefore an ideal time to showcase California growers and
California grown produce; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes the month of
August 1999 as California Grown Certified Farmers' Market Month in
the State of California, and urge all Californians to celebrate and
become more aware of the bounty and values of California Certified
Farmers' Markets and California grown produce during that month; and
be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
